Goal: Drop charges against three women imprisoned for singing in protest and acknowledge people’s rights to free speech.

In March of 2012, three Russian women were arrested by authorities in Moscow for singing to raise awareness of government corruption. The three women, Maria Alyokhina, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, and Yekaterina Samutsevitch, are members of the Russian punk feminist art collective, Pussy Riot. They were taken into custody after they sang a “punk prayer” at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour of the Russian Orthodox Church. Recently, the women were sentenced to two years in prison simply for expressing dissent through their music.

The court charged the women with “hooliganism” and ordered their detainment to discourage other free thinkers from expressing their discontent. Russia claims to be moving towards an open and modern society, but the authority’s attempts to stifle activism through oppression do not demonstrate a true democracy.

If Russia wants to establish itself as a modern democratic nation, it must adhere to the standards and principles of a country where citizens have the right to free thought and speech. The choice to continue heavily prosecuting the women of Pussy Riot for the content of their songs and therefore discouraging free expression in the country severely demeans Russia’s international image.

Sign the petition below to demand the immediate release of Maria, Nadezhda and Yekaterina of Pussy Riot. Join all the musicians, artists, activists and advocates fighting for the right to free thought, speech, dialogue and expression all around the world.

PETITION LETTER

Dear Mr. Yuri Yakovlevich Chaika and Mr. Vladmir Putin,

As a world citizen concerned about protecting people’s rights to free speech, I am extremely disappointed that in March of 2012, three Russian women and members of the Russian punk feminist art collective, Pussy Riot, were arrested in Moscow for the content of their songs. The three women, Maria Alyokhina, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, and Yekaterina Samutsevitch, were charged with “hooliganism” and are still in detainment.

Russia claims to be moving towards an open and modern society, but the authority’s attempts to stifle activism through oppression do not demonstrate a true democracy. If Russia wants to establish itself as a modern democratic nation, it must adhere to the standards and principles of a country where its citizens have the right to free thought and speech. The choice to discourage free expression in the country by heavily prosecuting the women of Pussy Riots severely demeans Russia’s international image.

I urge you to show the world you acknowledge people’s rights to free speech by dropping charges against Maria, Nadezhda and Yekatirna, calling for their immediate release.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

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